Central Florida Shocks Baylor in Fiesta Bowl Shootout

No one was supposed to be able to outscore Baylor’s high-powered offense. But Central Florida apparently never got that memo. Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 301 yards and scored four total touchdowns as the No. 15 Knights won UCF’s first-ever BCS bowl game, 52-42, over No. 6 Baylor.

Central Florida jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and never trailed in the game, answering each time Baylor pulled within striking distance. The Bears tied the game at 28 early in the third quarter only to see UCF score on its next four possessions and take a fourth quarter lead it would never relinquish. Despite three second-quarter turnovers, the Knights outgained the top-ranked Baylor offense, 556-550. In addition to Bortles’ big night, UCF got a huge performance from running back Storm Johnson, who rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns. The Knights finished with 256 rushing yards in the game, almost double the average amount Baylor had given up this season.

Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty thew for 356 yards and scored five touchdowns (including a career-high three rushing) in the loss. Baylor’s offense moved the ball as expected but couldn’t seem to stop shooting itself in the foot. Already the most penalized team in the nation, the Bears were flagged 17 times for 135 yards.

The 94 points scored by the two teams is a Fiesta Bowl record and the second-most in any BCS bowl game.